Choose the quantity of cushioning you require based on your position and playing style: Forwards may choose lighter-weight pads that allow for more mobility. Defensemen should search for bigger pads that offer enough shot blocking protection. Goaltenders need even more support because they face higher-powered shots.
There are three main types of hockey pads: composite, foam, and gel.
Composite pads consist of a hard outer shell with a soft interior. The best examples are the Bauer Supreme and CCM Auto-ABS models. They are lightweight and very durable. Composite pads are popular among offensive players because they offer good mobility while providing strong defense against checks and blows from opponents' sticks and bodies.
Foam pads are very common in lower level leagues because they are easy to store and transport. They typically weigh about the same as composite pads but are less dense, which allows for cheaper production costs. Foam pads are used by defensemen because they provide decent defense but lack weight to protect against heavier hits.
Gel pads are the most advanced type of pad available today. They are composed of an inner core of soft foam surrounded by a liquid polymer compound that is then hardened into its final form. This polymer gel can be tuned or molded to change its density or absorbency depending on what type of player you are.
The pads are available in a range of shapes and sizes. More padding is preferred by defensive players to protect them from high sticks, pucks, and severe physical contact. Offensive players use lighter pads, sacrificing protection for more flexibility and comfort. The top of each pad has a plastic cover that can be removed for washing.
There are two types of football pads: defensive and offensive. Defensive players wear pads under their uniforms to protect themselves against other players' bodies; offensive players wear pads so they can tackle others out on the field.
Both types of pads consist of a hard outer shell with flannel or nylon fabric inside the shell to provide warmth and moisture-wicking ability. The interior lining is usually cut slightly oversized so it can be fitted to the player's body. Leather straps and buckles hold the pads on the player's legs and arms.
Each pad has several holes cut into it for ventilation. There should be at least one large hole in the center of each pad for water to drain away from the body.
Players choose between heavy duty and ultra-lightweight pads depending on the type of game they will be playing. Heavy duty pads are thicker and less flexible than ultra-lightweight pads but they offer better protection. A protective cup may be worn underneath the ultra-lightweight pads to cushion any possible blows to the head.
You have the option of selecting a high kickpoint, a low kickpoint, or a dual flex point. Low kickpoints boost the veracity of the final shot. Because defensemen must make lengthy passes, they require a powerful stick. High kickpoints allow the defender to check opponents who come down the ice.
The choice between a high-kickpoint model and a low-kickpoint model is up to you. Most defensemen choose a high kickpoint because it allows them to hit harder checks and win more faceoffs. However, a low kickpoint is necessary for long-range shooting.
Dual flex sticks are designed for defensemen who like to take slapshots from time to time. These sticks have two separate bends in the shaft: one for quick snap shots and one for pushing the puck away from the net.
If you want to shoot the puck often, you should get a stick with a wide blade. Wide blades improve your release when shooting the puck.
Longer sticks are preferable for defensemen because they can cover more ice and make better passes.
The overall length of the stick does not matter as much as the size of the blade that gets inserted into the ice. A smaller blade is better for defensemen because they don't want to be too cumbersome on the ice.
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